5.1ch -> 7.1ch (If not an automatic, then maybe a manual method?)

I know that this has been asked a lot but from everything I've searched, nothing fortified my thoughts completely.

To start out with the cliche, is there any software along the lines of AC3Filter which could upmix stereo and/or 5.1ch audio to 7.1? Doesn't necessarily have to be freeware...

I have the ONKYO HT-S6100 7.1 system, connected to my laptop through HDMI. The receiver of this system has DPL IIx and Neo:6 but that doesn't do what I want. It doesn't maintain the channels' original direction. I even prefer AC3Filter's 5.1 upmixture of stereo audio over the method used in DPL IIx.

My idea originally was just to merge 66.6% of the audio sent to the back channels with 33.3% of the audio sent to the front channels and play it back at 75% the loudness, directed at the side speakers. Is there maybe any way to manually accomplish this? Thanks for any feedback.

What a plethora of feedback... ANYWAY, update... ---v

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I actually just finished trying FFDShow Audio and I set up the 7.1 configuration. I like it BUT, there are a few problems and maybe a bias that I need to clear up...

There is no way to save the Matrix Mixer preset that I created. And even if there was, it'd still be annoying to have to go into the settings and choose between the stereo and 5.1ch presets that I'd have. I know that I CAN save all the settings overall but going about it that way wouldn't be efficient or too effortless either. As it stands now anyway, I'd have to manually change the configuration each time I decided to switch between different listening sources, stereo and 5.1... For these reasons, it would be VERY nice for an alternative solution, if this can even be considered as one.

Also, I think I might've just had a bias towards FFDShow Audio because I initially (long ago) couldn't find how to output audio in 5.1 but was able to in AC3Filter instantly after I installed it. I grew to like AC3Filter in every aspect. One of those aspects was always just the way it upmixed stereo audio. Now that I dealt with the Matrix Mixer though, I realized that this upmixture is nothing special and that nothing past the use of the mixer is happening. The default settings in FFDShow and AC3Filter are exactly the same in the mixer. So finally, that being said, is there actually any difference in the decoding of MP3, AAC, AC3, and DTS audio (in terms of anything - quality, stereo upmixing, sound redirection maybe, etc...)? If so, what are the actual technical differences, which decoder do you prefer, and why? Just uh, please don't answer something along the lines of, "FFDShow PWNS! AC3Filter FTL!".. yeah...

Didn't realize I'd have this much to ask.. Big box of virtual cookies to anybody that takes the time to answer this But seriously, thanks very much.

Why shouldn't matter. The only way I can explain this to you is if you came into my room right now and I personally showed you.

I have gotten my answer so no need for any further contemplation. Thanks though. Not a 100% solution but if anyone is curious, I can spew what I've found that could work.

He wasn't willing to help me. He was criticizing everything I just said. I wouldn't have randomly just said that otherwise. Maybe if that's how YOUR post was regarded, you'd feel differently.

And about the solution, do you actually have one? It might be different - better than mine. I'd very much like to hear it. I was just saying that it wasn't necessary to really try if people didn't know. Thanks.

Whatever. I'm always the most respectful person when it comes to posting. This guy was indirectly calling me dumb and WHAT I SAID was disrespectful?.. I'm not the one being a jerk here. I'm sorry for your deluded notions.

I'm not any more. Why would I be when you're talking to me like I'm some sort of disrespectful punk because of barely anything?

He asked why I would want to upmix stereo audio? I don't know... What's the point of having surround speakers again? All I said was I can't really explain how the sound has a different affect (and overall better) unless I'd be showing it to him in person. Based on that you tell me I'm treating somebody, that said I just shouldn't be doing what I'm doing in the first place ("helping" me), disrespectfully? And then you basically tell me to go screw myself. No words had to be said...

Come on, really? I'm so terrible, yeah...

Sometimes I take something that I have a great passion for too seriously so I might've viewed what you said a bit too harshly. The only point I got frustrated at was when I was put down for such a simple thing. Thank you for clearing up the matter.